Data Transformation Engine Type Designer Reference Guide

Type Designer Reference Guide
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Chapter 4 - Type Properties
This chapter discusses type properties and how to define them.
Overview
The properties of a type define the characteristics of the data objects of that type.
For item types, properties define whether that item is text, a number, a date and
time, or a syntax value. Properties include such characteristics as size, pad
characters, and justification.
For group types, the properties are related to the format of that group. The format
of a group may be explicit or implicit. In addition, type properties include syntax
objects that appear at the beginning or end of the object, as well as release
characters.
Defining Type Properties
You can individually define each type property. When you choose to view the
properties of a type, the associated Properties window is displayed. This window
contains the following:
Definition of a type’s Class, Group or Item properties
Type Initiator, Terminator, and Release character
A list of where a type is used in the definitions of other types.
From the Properties window you can also opt to propagate (pass along
properties) to other types.
To access properties of a type
1 From the Navigator, select a type.
2 Do one of the following:
♦ From the Type menu, choose Properties.
♦ Right-click and select Properties from the context menu.
♦ Press Alt + Enter.
♦ Click
(Properties) on the toolbar.